New Delhi: The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has appealed against an independent tribunal’s decision to exonerate world no.1 Jannik Sinner of doping violation. WADA has filed an appeal in the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), demanding a ban “between one or two years” to be imposed on the Italian star, who was recently crowned as the US Open men’s singles champion after beating Daniil Medvedev in the final.
Sinner twice tested positive for a banned substance during the Indian Wells tournament in March this year. However, he was cleared of any wrongdoing by an independent tribunal last month and was allowed to continue playing which saw him emerge triumphant at the US Open 2024 to clinch his second major title.
However, WADA objected to the decision by the independent tribunal which was by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA). The tribunal ruled that the Italian tennis star was not at fault and that there was no negligence on his part. However, WADA said the decision was “not correct under the applicable rules”. The world anti-doping body has demanded a ban on Sinner for a year or two in its appeal to the CAS.
What did Jannik Sinner test positive for?
Reigning US Open champion Sinner tested positive for low levels of a metabolite of clostebol, which is a steroid used to gain muscle mass. He twice tested positive for the banned substance during the Indian Wells tournament. During the hearing, Sinner had insisted he inadvertently consumed the banned substance on the advice of his physiotherapist.
While he was deemed non-guilty by the tribunal, the Italian was stripped off his ranking points and prize money for making it to the final of the Indian Wells tournament. In the aftermath of the ruling, Sinner parted ways with his physio Giacomo Naldi. The Italian was also provisionally suspended but was later allowed to continue playing after he challenged the decision.
After WADA’s appeal, ITIA reaffirmed that it had followed the process as per WADA guidelines during the hearing conducted by its independent tribunal, however, the body insisted it respects the anti-doping agency’s decision to challenge its decision in the CAS. Sinner, a two-time Grand Slam champion, is currently playing in the China Open in Beijing.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has gone to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), appealing against an independent tribunal’s decision to clean world no.1 Jannik Sinner of doping violation. Tennis Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
